Digitization Services for Advanced and Professional Customers

Imaging professionals and advanced hobbyists often have different goals in their digitization projects from families, businesses and institutions. We have many ways to help you meet your goals.

Color space for digital images

We use sRGB for JPEG images. If a customer needs to use a different color space for their image files, please let us know when placing your order.

Multi-sample Scanning

We normally scan film using a single-pass/single-sample. In some cases using multiple sample technologies can enhance shadow and highlight detail and reduce digital noise in the resulting images. We can utilize hardware-supported multi-sampling to improve image detail and reduce noise. There is an additional charge for multi-scanning:

• 2 samples: $0.19 per image

• 4 samples: $0.49 per image

• 8 samples: $0.99 per image

TIFF File Compression

We normally return TIFF files uncompressed. TIFF files can be lossless compressed (using LZW or ZIP compression) to reduce file sizes by ~10%-30% (depending on the image). If you would like TIFF files returned to you in a lossless compression format, please specify it on your order form. There is no charge for this option.

Image Bit Depth

We normally scan and return images with 8 bits per color channel. Higher bit depth images can improve color rendition and gradation in some cases, particularly if heavy editing is required on the images. Our scanners and software support high-bit depth scanning. If you want images with 16 bits per color channel, please specify it on your order form. There is a charge equal to 50% of the base scanning price for 16-bit files.

For more background on image bit depth, please see our image bit depth tutorial.

Multiple TIFF File Options

We normally return only color and exposure adjusted images. If you prefer to receive the “RAW” scanner files, please specify it here. Note that these “RAW” images will include ICE, scanner exposure, and black/white point adjustments. There is a charge of $0.15 to receive both TIFF and JPEG files.

Cropping Options

We normally crop scanned images to remove most border effects (including removal of slide mount edges). If you would like us to skip the cropping on your scans, please let us know.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Delivery Options

We are happy to return images on an external hard drive. We can purchase the drive(s) on your behalf or you are welcome to send drives to us. Drives can be formatted for Mac or PC. HDD enclosures are USB (Firewire or eSATA upon request). The drives can be formatted for Mac or PC. There is no extra charge for returning the images only on hard drive. There is a charge of $20 (in addition to DVD/CD costs) to return images on both hard drive and CD/DVD. Please contact us for current pricing on external hard drives.

Custom File Sizing

We normally deliver full-sized edited JPEG files of your digital scans. Upon request, we can also provide unedited TIFF files. If you require a specific image size, please let us know. There is normally no charge for image sizing requests. We will contact you if necessary to discuss any questions or charges.

Custom Directory Structure

We normally return images in a simple directory structure with a folder for each material type. If your order is physically separated into groups when we receive it, your digital files will be folded in a similar manner. Please contact us to discuss any specific requirements.

Custom File Naming

We normally name files in groups according to the name of that particular group. The average size of these groups must be at least 20 images. We don't typically name files individually, but this can be done by the customer by saving all files to their computer.